Vehicle Plate Decoder

How Indian plates are structured

The 1989 BS-coded scheme uses four parts: 2-letter state code (KA, MH, TN), 2-digit RTO district code (01–99), 1–3 letter series, then a 4-digit number. So KA-01-AB-1234 reads as Karnataka, RTO 01 Bengaluru Central, series AB, number 1234. Newer Bharat-series plates start with BH and a 2-digit year (e.g. 22-BH-1234-AA) for officers transferred across states.

Worked example

MH-12-DE-7890 decodes to Maharashtra, RTO 12 Pune Region, series DE, number 7890. By contrast, DL-3C-AB-1234 is Delhi, Mayur Vihar RTO (3C codes are common-carrier commercial), series AB. Knowing the RTO matters when you transfer ownership — the form-29/30 process and road tax refund go through the original registration RTO unless you re-register at the new one (mandatory within 12 months of relocating).

When to use this

• Verifying a used-car listing is from the city it claims
• Identifying an out-of-state vehicle for FASTag toll category
• Filing an e-challan or RTI request — you need the right RTO
• Quick check before paying earnest money on a private sale

For driving licence decoding, use the DL decoder, and for resale road tax, the RTO tax calculator.